# What are your top 15 video games of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 25, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883 "2009-01-25T04:09:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/21 "2009-01-25T14:55:55Z")
Mega Man 2 Ogre Battle Final Fantasy 2/4 Civilization 2 Psychonauts Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Total Annihilation Final Fantasy 3/6 Starcraft Perfect Dark Tie Fighter Chrono Cross Madden '03 Super Mario World Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/22 "2009-01-25T15:01:06Z")
I don’t have a full 15, but here are my favorites, in no order Warcraft 2 Civilization 2 The Sims series Sim City series Unreal Tournament Colonization Master of Orion 2 Autoduel Pirates! Grand Theft Auto (The original. 2 wasn’t as good and I haven’t played the versions since then) Command & Conquer Honorable mention: Privateer 2: The Darkening, which would have made my list if it could have gone more than 15 minutes without crashing. Still good enough that I finished it. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/23 "2009-01-25T15:03:50Z")
And Lemmings! How could I have forgotten Lemmings? ---
**Author:** ![in\_hiding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c5a1d2/32.png) [@in\_hiding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/in_hiding)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/24 "2009-01-25T15:07:33Z")
Mh, thats hard. No particular order: **Deus Ex** (I _think_ I know every little secret now) **System Shock 2** (_hurry!_) **Colonization** (so simple, but it works) **Alpha Centauri** (Better then Civ, even! …as long as I get the space elevator and the hunter algorithm :D) **Unreal Tournament** (still play it a lot online) **Starcraft** (with broodwars) **Xcom 2** TFTD (played it for years of my life) **Xcom Apocalypse** (just wish it was longer) **Monkey Island 2** (my first non-shareware PC game) **Grim Fandango** (at the end it’s nearly tragic. great story, great style) **Supreme Commander** (best user interface EVER) **XWing/Tie Fighter** (really, its the same) **Warbirds** (played it online for a while. really good fun) **Master of Orion II** (plasmacannons, baby :D) **Lemmings** would be there, but I never got far. **Frontier: Elite** , if it was more then a sandbox **Sim City 2/4** _just_ didn’t make it on the list … I’m sure I missed some, though. edit: Star Controll II, for example. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Discordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Discordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discordia)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/25 "2009-01-25T15:08:32Z")
Man, this would be easier by genre. In no particular order… 1. Starcraft 2. Diablo (either, 2 if I have to pick one) 3. Heroes of Might and Magic 3 4. Final Fantasy VI or VII, I can’t decide 5. Chrono Trigger 6. X-Com (first or second) 7. Baldur’s Gate (both, 2 edges it if I have to pick one) 8. Master of Orion (first for freshness, second for polish) 9. Alpha Centauri, someone needs to remake this game damnit 10. Master of Magic, someone needs to remake this game damnit 11. Civilization (probably II, maybe IV, can’t decide) 12. Age of Empires 2 13. TIE Fighter 14. Morrowind (only if mods are included because Bethesda suck so much at some things) 15. Simcity So many damn good games missing though. Kind of like trying to pick your 15 favorite songs, there are just too many. ---
**Author:** ![Discordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Discordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discordia)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/26 "2009-01-25T15:15:36Z")
oops ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/27 "2009-01-25T16:05:58Z")
Let’s see (in no particular order) : -Civilization (the whole series, and Alpha Centauri. Yes, I cheat) -Conquest of the new world -Imperialism -Master of Magic (Indeed, when do they remake this one? Scratch that, they would make a RTS) -Master of Orion II - X-Com -King of Dragon Pass (you never heard of this one, did you?) -The operational art of war -Talonsoft campaign series (Divided ground if I must choose one) -Civil war general -Planescape : Torment -Fallout II -Arcanum -Europa Universalis -Heroes of Might and Magic (not sure which one : 2?3?4?) -Tropico (Yes, That’s 16. I cheat again) Surely, I will go :smack: when I’ll realize I forgot one of my preferred games ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/28 "2009-01-25T16:36:14Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > -King of Dragon Pass (you never heard of this one, did you?) Don’t mess with the ducks! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Commander\_Keen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@Commander\_Keen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commander_Keen)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/29 "2009-01-25T17:45:25Z")
Most of mine have appeared on others peoples’ lists, but I’m surprised I’m the first to mention a Metroid game… Chrono Trigger Earthbound Super Mario World Final Fantasy VIII Final Fantasy X Super Metroid Diablo 2 Fallout 2 Deus Ex The Secret of Monkey Island Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Angband Alpha Centauri Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Mega Man X ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/30 "2009-01-25T17:48:05Z")
> [@Commander\_Keen](#): > > Do you mean Final Fantasy III (the one that was only available in Japan until its 2006 re-release on the DS) or Final Fantasy VI (also known as Final Fantasy III in the US)? In either case, I’d take both VIII and X over that and VII. I meant Final Fantasy VI, which is the best of the series so far. I can understand taking X, but VIII? I played VIII first and loved it then, but consider it rather weak now that I’ve played all the others(a few times). By the way, Final Fantasy III(NES) is actually really good. I never played the DS version, only a translated version of the original. It has to be one of the largest original NES games. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/31 "2009-01-25T18:21:16Z")
-Deus Ex -Baldur’s Gate 2 -Diablo 2 -Starcraft -Chronotrigger -Civilization 2 -Final Fantasy 6 (or 7) -Super Mario 64 -Mario Kart 64 -Goldeneye -Legend of Zelda -Tetris -Myth II: Soulblighter -World of Warcraft -Half Life 2 Final Fantasy 8 can’t possibly be on the list because it has the single worst plot twist of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Garula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Garula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garula)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/32 "2009-01-25T18:39:55Z")
Wow, I had no idea so many of you had good enough taste to include Total Annihilation. Have you guys heard of TA Spring? It’s basically an open source remake of the game, highly moddable, and very good. I just finished a game with a friend, actually. My list would probably be different moment to moment and many of my choices are driven in large part by nostalgia. Regardless, off the top of my head an in no particular order: -Portal -Mario 64 -Planescape: Torment -Deux Ex -Fallout 1 & 2 -Marble Madness -Final Fantasy 6 -Half-Life 1 & 2 -Smash Bros. (N64) -Mario Kart 64 -Castlevania: SOTN -Super Mario World -Tactics Ogre -Total Annihilation -Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/33 "2009-01-25T18:52:54Z")
I haven’t taken a look at other’s lists. Just wanted to see what 15 I came up with on my own. Order in which the game pops into my head. 1. Maniac Mansion 2) Knights of the Old Republic 3) Grand Theft Auto 3 4) Grand Theft Auto 4 5) Kingdom Hearts 6) Eternal Scrolls: Oblivion 7) Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy 8) California Games 9) Zak McCracken and the Alien Mindbenders 10) Monkey Island Series 11) Portal 12) Sonic the Hedgehog 13) Diablo II 14) Unreal Tournament 15) Zak McCracken and the Alien Mindbenders ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/34 "2009-01-25T19:17:34Z")
This list is liable to change hourly, but here’s what I would say right now… Contra III: The Alien Wars (Super NES)\* Doom (PC) GoldenEye (N64) The Legend of Zelda (NES)\*\* Mario Kart 64 (N64)\*\*\* Maximo: Ghosts To Glory (PS2) Mega Man III (NES)\*\*\*\* Pac-Man (Arcade) Resident Evil 2 (N64) Secret of Mana (Super NES) Smash TV (Arcade/Super NES) Super Mario World (Super NES)\*\*\*\*\* Tecmo Super Bowl (NES) Tetris (NES) - Stand-in pick for several games in the series: Contra, Contra 4 & Contra: Shattered Soldier \*\* Stand-in pick for several games in the series \*\*\* Stand-in pick for several games in the series: Mario Kart Double Dash, Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart DS \*\*\*\* Stand-in pick for several games in the series: Mega Man II, Mega Man VI, Mega Man 9 \*\*\*\*\* Stand-in pick for several games in the series: All of the “main” series games ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/35 "2009-01-25T19:20:02Z")
No particular order: Mario 3 Mario World Mario 64 Sonic 2 Sonic 3 Doom (PC) Doom 2 (PC) Wolfenstein 3d (PC) Return to Castle Wolfenstein (PC) Need for Speed 2 (I’m the only one that liked it) (PS1) Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii) NASCAR Racing 4 (PC) Mortal Kombat Trilogy (PS1) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2) Rockband (360) ---
**Author:** ![HoboStew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f17d59/32.png) [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/36 "2009-01-25T19:56:54Z")
They make this much harder by not allowing us to roll franchises together. For example, the Tony Hawk and Madden franchises are fantastic, but I can’t really pick one of them as head an shoulders above the others. You could also make a case for about a half dozen Mario games, but that would a boring list make. So with those caveats, here’s mine in rough order: 1. Super Mario Brothers 2. Street Fighter 2 3. Bioshock 4. Star Control 2 5. Warlords 6. Wolfenstein 3D 7. Legend of Zelda - Mask of Majora 8. Civilization 4 9. Final Fantasy 7 10. Maniac Mansion 11. Blast Corps 12. Mario Kart Wii 13. Ultima 3 14. Golden Eye 15. Shadow of the Colossus ---
**Author:** ![Commander\_Keen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@Commander\_Keen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commander_Keen)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/37 "2009-01-25T20:00:09Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I can understand taking X, but VIII? I played VIII first and loved it then, but consider it rather weak now that I’ve played all the others(a few times). Yep. I know VIII tends to be a love-it-or-hate-it divider, and I’m on the love-it side. But I can see any of these being in the top 15 of all time, I’ve yet to play a bad Final Fantasy game (well…except for XII). > [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Final Fantasy 8 can’t possibly be on the list because it has the single worst plot twist of all time. Are you talking about the orphanage revelation? I agree it was kind of silly, but it was revealed relatively early in the game and wasn’t really a game-changing twist in my opinion. But there’s no way it’s the worst plot twist in a game ever. That honor has to go to Star Ocean 3, one of the worst RPGs I’ve ever played. I’ll spoiler it in case you’re interested… About 90% of the way into the game, it’s revealed that all of your characters and they entire universe they inhabit, and by extension everyone and everything in the previous 2 Star Ocean games, since they all share the same universe, are characters/objects in a computer simulation (like a video agame within the video game). ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/38 "2009-01-25T20:24:53Z")
Shingen the Ruler Romance of the 3 Kingdoms Baldurs Gate Zelda Final Fantasy several of them Medieval Civilization Warcraft Tetris sent me to bed with blocks dropping in my retinas Mario ---
**Author:** ![Paladud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Paladud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paladud)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/39 "2009-01-25T20:32:59Z")
Starcraft with Brood War - worth all the other games on the list combined and then some. Master of Orion 1 Heroes of Might and Magic 2 with Price of Loyalty Fallout 2 Diablo 1 Planescape: Torment Medieval: Total War Betrayal at Krondor Deus Ex Civilization 4 Heroes of Might and Magic 3 + AB + SoD King’s Bounty Shining Force 2 Bioshock Fallout 3 ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883/40 "2009-01-25T20:45:56Z")
Super Mario World Dragon Warrior Mario Kart 64 Super Mario Brothers Super Mario RPG Super Mario 3 Halo Knights of the Old Republic Psychonauts Everquest Mike Tyson’s Punch Out Contra Final Fight Street Fighter 2 Pilotwings Honorable mention: Mario Galaxy [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-15-video-games-of-all-time/482883.md?page=3)